Display pack

ABSTRACT

A display pack is provided, having a shell and a display card that cooperatively secure a product in a product chamber. The shell includes a front portion that defines a product chamber and further includes a plurality of flaps attached by fold lines to the front portion. The display card is located between the front portion and flaps of the shell, to secure a product within the product chamber. The flaps are secured to the front portion through openings defined by the display card. To open the shell, a purchaser can pry the flaps from the front portion, allowing for removal of both the display card and the product by the purchaser. In this manner, both the shell and the display card are easily separated for recycling. Moreover, the display pack has an effective configuration that is substantially larger than the product to deter theft, while minimizing the amount of material required.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a display pack configured to hold one or more products within a transparent chamber and, more particularly, to a display pack including a shell and a display card configured to capture the product.

Traditionally, products have been shipped in bulk from a manufacturer to a retailer in cartons containing protective packing material. The container and packing material were configured to provide sufficient structural strength to enable palletizing and shipping in bulk. Once at the retailer, individual products were then removed from the cartons to be individually placed on a shelf or rack for display. For small, expensive, and easily stolen products, the shelf or rack might be located within a secured display case to minimize the risk of theft. All of which was both costly and time consuming.

More recently, small products have been packaged in comparatively large containers to deter theft. Some manufacturers have used smaller packaging captured in a transparent display pack. Such display packs typically are significantly larger than the small packaging, providing for increased deterrence of theft. Display packs have been made from two vacuum-formed sheets of clear plastic, sealed around the edges, forming a chamber for holding the product. Oftentimes, the entire periphery of such display packs are sealed, providing added theft deterrence, yet making access difficult for the ultimate purchaser. Since such display packs typically are formed of durable plastic, even access via scissors can be difficult. Once cut open, portions of the display card typically remain captured within portions of plastic, hampering recycling of these materials.

It should, therefore, be appreciated that there remains need for a display pack that provides a substantial theft deterrent while enabling ease access to the enclosed product for the end users and that facilitates recycling of the materials used. The present invention fulfills this need and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, the invention provides a display pack having a shell and a display card that cooperatively secure a product in a product chamber. The shell includes a front portion that defines a product chamber and further includes a plurality of flaps attached by fold lines to the front portion. The display card is located between the front portion and flaps of the shell, to secure a product within the product chamber. The flaps are secured to the front portion through openings defined by the display card. To open the shell, a purchaser can pry the flaps from the front portion, allowing for removal of both the display card and the product by the purchaser. In this manner, both the shell and the display card are easily separated for recycling. Moreover, the display pack has an effective configuration that is substantially larger than the product to deter theft, while minimizing the amount of material required.

More specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the front portion of the shell includes a primary plane, a product chamber protruding from the primary plane, and a frame protruding from the primary plane. The frame circumscribes the product chamber about the periphery of the front portion. A plurality of flaps are attached by fold lines to the front portion along the periphery of the front portion. A display card having a front and a rear surface is located between the front portion and the flaps to secure a product within the product chamber such that the front surface of display card faces the front portion and the rear surface of the display card faces the flap. The display card defining openings through which the front portion and the flaps are secured to each other.

In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the front portion and the flaps define conforming notches such that each notch of the front portion mates with a corresponding notch of the flaps through a corresponding opening defined by the display card. By way of example and not limitation, each flap can be secured to the front portion, through a corresponding opening of the display card, via a male/female notch combination, e.g., in which each flap defines at least one female notch that receives a corresponding male notch defined by the front portion.

Embodiments of the invention can include a shell be formed as a unitary piece of plastic material that allows the product to be visible within the display pack. The front portion and the flaps can also cooperatively provide a flange extending around the periphery of the shell. In selected embodiments, the front portion can also include a frame about its periphery, the frame protruding from a primary plane of the front portion. Each fold line can be disposed between a pair of ridges such that the ridges are positioned proximate to an outer edge of the display pack.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a display pack in accordance with the present invention, depicting a product captured in a product chamber of a shell.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the display pack of FIG. 1, depicted flaps attached to the shell through openings defined by a display card.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the display pack and product of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display pack of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the display pack of FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a display stand housing several display packs of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a display pack 10 having a shell 12 and a display card 14 that cooperatively secure a packaged product 16 in a product chamber 18. The shell includes a rectangular front portion 20 that defines the product chamber and further includes four flaps 22 extending from to the front portion. The display card is located between the front portion and flaps of the shell, securing the product within the product chamber. The flaps are secured to the front portion through openings 24 (FIG. 3) defined by the display card, holding the card in place. Thus, the peripheral edges of the pack are closed. To open the shell, a user can pry the flaps from the front portion, allowing for removal of both the display card and the product by the purchaser. In this manner, both the shell and the display card are easily separated for recycling. Moreover, the display pack has an effective configuration that is substantially larger than the product to deter theft, while minimizing the amount of material required.

The front portion 20 of the shell 12 includes a primary plane 26 about the product chamber 18. In use, a front surface 30 (FIG. 3) of the display card 14 is generally flush with the primary plane, while a product region 32 of the display card serves as a back wall for the product chamber, securing the product with the display pack. In the exemplary embodiment, the product chamber is sized to conform to the packaged product, to accommodate both display and shipping requirements. A clear material is used to form the front portion, providing for a product chamber that allows the product to be visible. In the exemplary embodiment, the shell 12 is formed of a suitable plastic material by vacuum-molding into a unitary construction. However, other materials and formation methods providing suitable characteristics can be used.

The front portion 20 further includes a frame 34 protruding from the primary plane 26 about the periphery of the front portion. The frame provides structural support, particularly when several display pack are housed in a display assembly 52 (e.g., see FIG. 6). In the exemplary embodiment, the frame is continuous about the periphery of the front portion. In other embodiments, the frame can be discontinuous, provided by the flaps, or even excluded entirely. The front portion and the flaps cooperatively provide a flange 36 extending around the periphery of the unitary shell, which interface with the display stand 52 (FIG. 6).

With reference to FIG. 2, the display card 14 is generally rectangular, conforming to the dimension of the front portion 20 such that it extends beyond the frame 34 into the flanges 36 of the display pack 10. The display card is located between the front portion 20 and flaps 22 of the shell, trapping the product 16 within the product chamber 18. The openings 24 of the display card coincide with the dimensions and location of points of contact of the flaps and the front portion. The product region 32 is integral with the display card 14, providing a planar back wall to the product chamber.

In the exemplary embodiment, the display card is formed of cardboard paper; nonetheless, various other materials can be used that facilitate structural and security requirements of a particular display pack. Since the shell 12 is transparent, decorative markings (not shown) can be provided on the display card to enhance visual appearance, encouraging strong product sales. Also, in other embodiments, the display card can also be configured to provide a conformed back wall to the product chamber. For example, the display card can further include a plastic panel aligned with indentation of the shell, to provide a conformed back wall, allowing the shape of the product to be seen from the back. Although relational positioning is referred to herein for convenience of reference, e.g., front and back, either side of a display pack can be oriented for display, as desired, without departing from the invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, fold lines 38 are disposed along the periphery of the front portion 20 between the flaps 22 to the front portion 20. Each fold line is situated between a pair of ridges 40 such that the ridges are positioned along an outer edge 42 of the display pack. In the exemplary embodiment, the shell 12 has a relatively constant thickness throughout; however, in other embodiments the thickness can vary. For example, the fold lines can be provided with a comparatively reduced thickness to facilitate folding, while other regions can be provided with a comparatively enhanced thickness for structural support and product security.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the front portion 20 and the flaps 22 define conforming notches (44, 46, 48, 50) such that each notch of the front portion mates with a corresponding notch of the flaps through a corresponding opening defined by the display card. The notches of the front portion and the flaps conform to each other to allow them to be adjoined, and further allowing the notches to be heat sealed or glued together. In the exemplary embodiment, each flap defines at least one female notch 44 that receives a corresponding male notch 46 defined by the front portion. This configuration provides a friction interface that keeps the corresponding flap folded in position to aid in sealing the flap to the front portion. In other embodiment, the male notch can be provided by the flap, and the female notch can be provided by the front panel, if desired. The flaps further include button notches 48 aligned with corresponding button notches 50 of the front portion that also are sealed to each other. Various other configurations of notches can be used without departing from the invention. For example, the notches can be configured as elongated channels. Also, notches can be excluded entirely, e.g., heat sealing the flaps and front portion at contact points aligned with the opening of the display card.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a plurality of display packs may be inserted into the display stand 52. In use, the flange 36 of each display pack is received by pair of slots 54. The slots hold the display packs substantially parallel to each other. Adjacent display packs are disposed in close proximity to each other to provide structural support. Each corresponding pair of slots is configured to receive any of the display packs, and each display pack is configured such that its flanges may be received in any corresponding pair of slots in the display stand, such that the display pack is supported by the display stand in a position to display the packaged product in the product chamber.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a display pack having a shell and a display card that cooperatively secure a product in a product chamber. The shell includes a front portion that defines a product chamber and further includes a plurality of flaps attached by fold lines to the front portion. The display card is located between the front portion and flaps of the shell, to secure a product within the product chamber. The flaps are secured to the front portion through openings defined by the display card. To open the shell, a purchaser can pry the flaps from the front portion, allowing for removal of both the display card and the product by the purchaser. In this manner, both the shell and the display card are easily separated for recycling. Moreover, the display pack has an effective configuration that is substantially larger than the product to deter theft, while minimizing the amount of material required.

Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference only to the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below. 

1. A display pack, comprising: a shell having a front portion defining a product chamber and a plurality of flaps attached by fold lines to the front portion; and a display card located between the front portion and flaps of the shell to secure a product within the product chamber, the display card defining openings through which the flaps are secured to the front portion.
 2. A display pack as defined in claim 1, wherein the shell is formed as a unitary piece of plastic material.
 3. A display pack as defined in claim 1, wherein each fold line is disposed between a pair of ridges such that the ridges are positioned proximate to an outer edge of the display pack.
 4. A display pack as defined in claim 1, wherein the front portion and the flaps heat sealed or glued together through the openings defined by the display card.
 5. A display pack as defined in claim 1, wherein the front-portion is rectangular shaped and the plurality of flaps includes four flaps, each flap along a corresponding side of the front portion.
 6. A display pack as defined in claim 1, wherein each flap is secured to the front portion, through a corresponding opening of the display card, via a male/female notch combination.
 7. A display pack as defined in claim 1, wherein the front portion and the flaps define conforming notches such that each notch of the front portion mates with a corresponding notch of the flaps through a corresponding opening defined by the display card.
 8. A display pack as defined in claim 7, wherein the front portion and the flaps are heat sealed or glued together through the openings defined by the display card.
 9. A display pack as defined in claim 7, wherein each flap defines at least one female notch that receives a corresponding male notch defined by the front portion.
 10. A display pack, comprising: a unitary shell formed of plastic, the shell having a front portion having a primary plane, a product chamber protruding from the primary plane, and a frame protruding from the primary plane, the frame circumscribing the product chamber about the periphery of the front portion, and a plurality of flaps attached by fold lines to the front portion along the periphery of the front portion; and a display card having a front and a rear surface, the display card located between the front portion and the flaps to secure a product within the product chamber such that the front surface of display card faces the front portion and the rear surface of the display card faces the flap, the display card defining openings through which the front portion and the flaps are secured to each other.
 11. A display pack as defined in claim 10, wherein each fold line is disposed between a pair of ridges such that the ridges are positioned along an edge of the shell.
 12. A display pack as defined in claim 10, wherein each flap is secured to the front portion, through a corresponding opening of the display card, via a male/female notch combination.
 13. A display pack as defined in claim 10, wherein the front portion and the flaps cooperatively provide a flange extending around the periphery of the shell.
 14. A display pack as defined in claim 10, wherein the front-portion is rectangular shaped and the plurality of flaps includes four flaps, each flap along a corresponding side of the front portion.
 15. A display pack as defined in claim 10, wherein the front portion and the flaps are heat sealed or glued together through the openings defined by the display card.
 16. A display pack as defined in claim 10, wherein the front portion and the flaps define conforming notches such that each notch of the front portion mates with a corresponding notch of the flaps through a corresponding opening defined by the display card.
 17. A display pack as defined in claim 16, wherein the front portion and the flaps are heat sealed or glued together through the openings defined by the display card.
 18. A display pack as defined in claim 16, wherein each flap defines at least one female notch that receives a corresponding male notch.
 19. A method of making a display pack, comprising: providing a unitary shell of plastic, the shell having a front portion having a primary plane, a product chamber protruding from the primary plane, and a frame protruding from the primary plane, the frame circumscribing the product chamber about the periphery of the front portion, and a plurality of flaps attached by fold lines to the front portion along the periphery of the front portion; providing a display card having a front and a rear surface, the display card defining openings through which the front portion and the flaps are secured to each other; positioning the display card such that the front surface of display card faces the front portion; folding the flaps along the fold lines such that the flaps face the rear surface of the display card; and securing the flaps to the front portion through the openings defined by the display card.
 20. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein during the securing step the front portion and the flaps are heat sealed or glued together through the openings defined by the display card.
 21. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the securing step includes securing each flap to the front portion, through a corresponding opening of the display card, via a male/female notch combination.
 22. A method as defined in claim 19, wherein the front portion and the flaps define conforming notches such that each notch of the front portion mates with a corresponding notch of the flaps through a corresponding opening defined by the display card. 